retreat
retreat — verb
1. to move away from an area or group when facing an attack or threat to your safet
to move away from an area or group when facing an attack or threat to your safety
The general ordered his troops to retreat before the enemy surrounded them.
retreat + from [military engagement]
As the wildfire raced through the valley, the campers had to retreat quickly to the lake.
retreat + to [safe location]
Hearing shouting in the street, Valentina retreated into the nearest shop doorway.
The soldiers retreated from the hilltop when they ran out of ammunition.
retreat + from [position]
- retreat from battle
- retreat to safety
- retreat in disorder
- order a retreat
- beat a retreat
Grammar Patterns
retreat + from [place/situation]
retreat + to [safer location]
retreat + into [place]
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'from' to specify the place left behind, and 'to' to indicate the destination. Common in military and emergency contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. to leave a stressful or public situation behind and go somewhere quiet where you
to leave a stressful or public situation behind and go somewhere quiet where you feel safe and alone
After the heated argument, Noa retreated to the garden to clear his mind.
retreat + to [place] after conflict
When the reporters surrounded the celebrity, she retreated behind a security gate.
Lien retreats to her small studio every evening to paint without interruptions.
retreat + to [place] for [activity]
The frightened cat retreated under the bed during the loud thunderstorm.
Madison often retreats into her bedroom when the house gets too noisy.
retreat + into [private space]
- retreat from the world
- retreat to the country
- retreat into oneself
- retreat to privacy
Grammar Patterns
retreat + from [stressful situation]
retreat + to [quiet place]
retreat + into [private space]
Usage Note
Often followed by 'to' + the destination, or 'into' + an enclosed space. The situation left behind is typically social, public, or emotionally demanding.
Common Mistakes
3. to give up a plan, position, or set of beliefs because holding onto them has bec
to give up a plan, position, or set of beliefs because holding onto them has become too difficult, costly, or unpopular
The politician retreated from his earlier promise after facing fierce public criticism.
retreat + from [commitment]
Under pressure from parents, the school retreated from its plan to shorten the school year.
Walid refused to retreat from his principles even when everyone disagreed with him.
refuse to retreat from [principle]
The company retreated from its fair-trade policy after costs rose sharply.
- retreat from a promise
- retreat from a position
- retreat from a commitment
- retreat from a policy
- stand firm
refuse to change one's position despite pressure
- persist
continue with the original plan or belief
Grammar Patterns
retreat + from [position/belief/commitment]
Usage Note
Subject is usually a person, group, or institution that previously held a firm position. The 'from' phrase is nearly always required to clarify what was abandoned.
Common Mistakes
4. of a price, level, or value — to fall back to a lower point after reaching a rec
of a price, level, or value — to fall back to a lower point after reaching a recent peak
The stock price retreated from its peak after the company announced weak quarterly results.
Subject is financial — [stock price] retreats from [peak]
Oil prices retreated sharply this week after climbing steadily for three months.
House prices in the area have retreated slightly since last summer's peak.
retreat slightly — common adverb collocation
The dollar retreated against the euro following the central bank's announcement.
- price retreats
- shares retreat
- market retreats
- retreat from a high
- retreat sharply
Grammar Patterns
[price/rate/value] + retreats
[price] retreats + from [high] + to [lower level]
Usage Note
Subject must be a measurable quantity (price, rate, value, index). A temporary or moderate fall is implied — more dramatic declines use 'plunge' or 'crash'. Common in financial news writing.
retreat — noun
1. a planned or forced movement of military forces away from the front line, often
a planned or forced movement of military forces away from the front line, often to escape defeat or regroup
The army's retreat across the river was carried out under cover of darkness.
possessive + retreat + across [geographic feature]
Napoleon's retreat from Moscow is remembered as one of the worst military disasters.
The general ordered a full retreat when he realised his troops were outnumbered.
order a retreat — fixed collocation
The enemy forces were in full retreat by the time reinforcements arrived.
in full retreat — fixed phrase
- order a retreat
- beat a retreat
- in full retreat
- sound the retreat
- withdrawal
more formal and orderly; retreat implies urgency or being forced
- pullback
used in both military and strategic contexts; often suggests a planned repositioning
Grammar Patterns
make a retreat
in retreat
beat a retreat
Usage Note
Fixed phrases include 'beat a retreat' (leave a situation quickly) and 'in full retreat' (withdrawing completely and urgently). The opposite in military terms is an 'advance' or 'offensive'.
Common Mistakes
2. a quiet, private spot where someone can go to be alone and feel safe from the pr
a quiet, private spot where someone can go to be alone and feel safe from the pressures of daily life
The wooden cabin in the mountains serves as a peaceful retreat from the busy city.
[adjective] retreat from [stressful setting]
Grandma's cottage by the lake has been our family's favourite summer retreat for years.
The small library at the end of the hall was Hugo's private retreat during lunch breaks.
possessive + [adjective] retreat
Their garden, hidden behind tall hedges, was a perfect retreat from the outside world.
- peaceful retreat
- summer retreat
- mountain retreat
- private retreat
- retreat from the world
Grammar Patterns
[adjective] retreat
a retreat from [something]
Usage Note
Often modified by an adjective describing the type of place (summer, mountain, beach, private, peaceful). Can also be used figuratively: 'reading is my retreat from stress'.
Common Mistakes
3. a stretch of days away from ordinary routines, used for quiet thinking, prayer,
a stretch of days away from ordinary routines, used for quiet thinking, prayer, or focused personal study
The church organises a weekend retreat for young people every spring.
[religious organisation] retreat — typical modifier
Jiwoo spent a week at a silent meditation retreat in the countryside.
go on a [adjective] retreat
During the retreat, participants are asked to leave their phones and laptops behind.
Ritu found the yoga retreat in Thailand deeply refreshing for both body and mind.
The nuns go on a silent retreat every year to renew their spiritual focus.
silent retreat — common collocation
- go on a retreat
- spiritual retreat
- meditation retreat
- weekend retreat
- silent retreat
- yoga retreat
- meditation retreat
specific type focused on mindfulness practice
- spiritual retreat
explicitly religious or faith-based
- sabbatical
longer and typically work-related rather than spiritual
Grammar Patterns
go on a retreat
attend a retreat
[adjective] retreat
Usage Note
Common collocations include 'go on a retreat', 'hold a retreat', and types like 'spiritual retreat', 'meditation retreat', 'yoga retreat'. Often organised by a religious or wellness group.
Common Mistakes
4. a deliberate move away from a previously held opinion, policy, or course of acti
a deliberate move away from a previously held opinion, policy, or course of action, often due to criticism or changed conditions
The government's retreat from its environmental policy angered many young voters.
possessive retreat from [policy]
Tariro's retreat from the anti-mining campaign she had led for years left the village elders shaking their heads in disbelief.
possessive [name]'s retreat from [specific cause]
The company's retreat from its commitment to fair wages was seen as a betrayal by workers.
retreat from [commitment]
Critics saw the new law as a retreat from the progress made on civil rights.
- retreat from a policy
- retreat from a commitment
- retreat from principles
- a retreat from reform
- reversal
stronger and more complete; a full change of direction
- backtracking
less formal; suggests hesitation or embarrassment
- abandonment
more final; implies giving up entirely
- commitment
dedication to a principle or course of action
- adherence
remaining loyal to a belief or policy
Grammar Patterns
a retreat + from [belief/policy]
[possessive] retreat + from [commitment]
Usage Note
Typically used with 'from' to specify what belief, policy, or commitment has been abandoned. Often carries a negative judgement from the speaker — suggesting the change is a loss of integrity.
Common Mistakes
5. a drop in the market price or value of something from a recently higher level
a drop in the market price or value of something from a recently higher level
Investors were alarmed by the sudden retreat in technology shares this month.
retreat in [market sector]
The retreat in gold prices has created new buying opportunities for investors.
Economists predict a further retreat in housing costs over the coming year.
predict a retreat in [asset class]
Market analysts described the retreat as a healthy correction after months of growth.
- retreat in prices
- market retreat
- retreat in shares
- retreat in stocks
- sudden retreat
Grammar Patterns
a retreat in [price/market]
[possessive] retreat
Usage Note
Common in financial journalism. Implies a temporary decline within an upward trend, rather than a long-term collapse. The opposite term is a 'rally' or 'surge'.
To leave a place quickly in order to avoid trouble or danger.
When the rain started, the children beat a hasty retreat indoors.
Did the protesters beat a retreat when the police arrived?
Word family
- retreatantnounC1
- retreatingadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Retreat suggests a movement away from a threat or opponent, often under pressure or in an organised manner — military units retreat to safety. Withdraw is more formal and orderly, without the implication of urgency or defeat: a diplomat may withdraw from talks calmly. Flee emphasises speed and panic, usually to save one's life — civilians flee a bombing. Escape focuses on reaching safety after being trapped or in danger — prisoners escape from a cell. Pull back is less dramatic than retreat and can be strategic or temporary: a company pulls back from a market to reconsider. Use retreat when the movement is forced, organised, and away from a specific threat; use flee when speed and fear are central; use escape when getting free from confinement or immediate danger.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'retreat' comes from Latin 'retrahere', meaning 'to draw back' — from 're-' (back) and 'trahere' (to pull). It passed through Old French as 'retrait' (the past participle of 'retraire') and entered English in the 14th century. The military sense appeared in the 1400s, while the meaning of a private safe place developed in the 1600s. The financial use — a price moving back from a peak — is a modern extension of the core idea of withdrawal.